The Hay 30 – Nadya TOLOKONNIKOVA

Conceptual artist and political activist from Russia. She is the founding member of the art collective Pussy Riot, which has been one of the world’s most prominent art groups in recent years, aiming to focus attention on human rights violations at home and abroad.

In August 2012, she was sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment following an anti-Putin performance by Pussy Riot in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This protest attracted international media attention and support from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, Bjork and Aung San Suu Kyi. Shortly after her release in December 2013, she announced the opening of an independent news service and media outlet, Mediazona. She has spoken before the US Congress, British Parliament, European Parliament and has appeared on stage with world leaders including Bill Clinton. Nadya is a Lennon Ono Grant for Peace recipient, has appeared as herself with President Frank Underwood on season 3 of House of Cards and performed the Pussy Riot song "Refugees In" as part of Banksy's Dismaland exhibition.

In early 2016 Pussy Riot's music video "Chaika" exposing corruption became the national focus in Russia. Most recently, Nadya has produced and starred in 3 new Pussy Riot music videos - "Straight Outta Vagina", "Organs" and "Make America Great Again", which portrayed the future of the USA under President Trump. These 3 music videos were released as part of the Pussy Riot EP "xxx".

All Events for this artist

Hay Festival 2017

The Index Platform – Pussy Riot

Hay Festival 2017,
Saturday 27 May 2017

An interview with the musician and activist, who was arrested after her punk band’s 2012 performance in a Moscow cathedral. She was convicted of 'hooliganism motivated by religious hatred' and sentenced to two years penal servitude. Nadya Tolokno now has permanent residency in Canada, from where she continues to protest human rights abuses. Introduced by Rachael Jolley.

In association with Index on Censorship

Querétaro 2017

Querétaro 2017,
Saturday 9 September 2017

Misha Glenny interviews the musician and activist, Nadya Tolokno (Russia), a member of the punk group Pussy Riot and arrested together with her partner in 2012 because of a performance in Moscow Cathedral. She was sentenced for crimes of religious hatred, and spent two years in jail, a sentence that became a symbol around the world for the Vladimir Putin government’s attitude to freedom of expression. She currently lives in Canada, where she continues to work as a human rights activist.

Cartagena 2018

Cartagena 2018,
Saturday 27 January 2018

The journalist interviews the musician and activist, Nadya Tolokonnikova (Russia), a member of the punk group Pussy Riot and arrested together with her fellow bandmembers in 2012 because of a performance in Moscow Cathedral. Tolokno was sentenced for crimes of religious hatred and spent two years in jail, a sentence that became a symbol around the world for the Vladimir Putin government’s attitude to freedom of expression. She currently lives in Moscow and continues to work as a human rights activist. In 2017 Nadya Tolokonnikova was selected as part of the Hay30, which, supported by the CASE Foundation, celebrates a new generation of thinkers and activists.